WEBINAR: In this together - How companies governments and communities can collaborate to address security and human rights challenges

Recent geopolitical shifts, the imbalances created by the armed conflict in Ukraine, the drive for new minerals facilitating decarbonization and the spread of mandatory due diligence laws are all increasing the urgency to support companies in navigating complex business environments in which human rights are a key concern.

The way that security is provided can either make or break the foundation of peace, justice and strong institutions at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals. Companies face heightened challenges managing their security arrangements and respecting human rights.

Security providers protecting companies’ staff, assets and operations may engage in violations of international humanitarian law or serious human rights abuses. At the same time, business actors can play a powerful role in reinforcing positive security dynamics, particularly when working together with national authorities, civil society and the wider international community.

Heightened risks raise the stakes for businesses to critically assess, mitigate and remedy the potential human rights impacts of their security arrangements. Multi-stakeholder engagement – which bring together actors from companies, governments and civil society – provides promising avenues to address these challenges. While this kind of multi-stakeholder engagement is still rare, examples are emerging of promising collaborations that reinforce security and the protection of human rights in complex environments.

The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Geneva Centre for Business and Human Rights (GCBHR) work with companies to promote responsible business conduct and develop multi-stakeholder approaches. Drawing on in-depth experience and a decade of work identifying good practices, the partners are pleased to launch the new edition of the Security and Human Rights Toolkit.

This webinar will explore different approaches taken by companies, governments and civil society to address these challenges. It will also mark the launch of the Security and Human Rights Toolkit – a guidance document based on the premise that strong collaboration among multiple stakeholders creates the best solution for security-related human rights challenges.

The webinar will draw on a diverse range of voices from a government, business and civil society and will explore innovative multi-stakeholder approaches for addressing security and human rights challenges. It will demonstrate how the new edition of the Toolkit can help companies surmount challenges with public and private security, engage with concerned communities and develop security arrangements with host States.

Scroll down to watch the recording and learn how to use the Security and Human Rights Toolkit.